Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

About the B.A. in Psychology Degree

Cedarville’s distinctly Christian psychology degree blends the knowledge of behavioral sciences with a biblical worldview. You will be equipped to think biblically and critically about human behaviors across genders, cultures, and ages and to relate psychological principles to everyday life and work. You will graduate prepared for advanced study in psychology or a related field or ready to pursue a career in a human service field.

This program is also offered as a minor.

Why Study Psychology at Cedarville?

Psychology Program Highlights

Biblical — You won’t have to sacrifice biblical truth while you’re studying psychology at Cedarville. When psychological material seems to conflict with a Christian worldview, your professors will go directly to Scripture to see what God has said about the subject. You will be encouraged to discuss these issues among professors and fellow students, always using God’s Word as the source of all truth.

Customizable — You’ll choose from six specialized tracks to customize your degree to fit your unique interests and career goals.

Child and Family Studies Track — Explores the dynamics of interpersonal relationships, family life, and cultivates the skills necessary for helping individuals and family members toward growth and healthy living.

Comprehensive Counseling Track — Provides specific courses relevant to professional practices in counseling as a psychologist, professional counselor, marriage and family therapist and human-service oriented fields.

Cross-Cultural Psychology Track — Provides opportunities for students to study abroad in countries such as Great Britain, Ireland, Lithuania, and with programs available in other countries. Students will also gain internship exposures in an international setting.

Health Psychology and Addictions Track — Provides a foundation for students to understand the importance of health and addiction issues pertinent to an individual’s spiritual, mental, social, and behavioral well-being.

Neuroscience Track — Equips students with the foundations of science that undergird a significant portion of psychological knowledge and applications through and understanding of the brain-body connection. Neuroscience has been on the leading edge of developing clinical and psychotherapeutic interventions.

Research Track — Equips students with skills in quantitative and qualitative analyses and for applications in individual assessment, organizational research, or graduate training in evidence-based studies.

Relational — You will develop working and mentoring relationships in a close-knit community. Faculty and staff will take time to build relationships with you and invest in your life as a mentor and adviser. Upperclassmen will come alongside you as you enter the program to provide encouragement, support, and mentoring.

Research oppportunities — You will have opportunity to conduct and present research. The psychology faculty will work closely with you to identify your areas of interest and guide you through the research process based on your individual interest.

Rigorous — Your professors will challenge you with rigorous coursework that is presented in a way that is both engaging and relevant. Our students enjoy the learning process as they receive a first-rate education.

What Can I Do With Psychology?

Many of our students advance into graduate studies leading to licensure and professional practices as psychologists, counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, and other licensing professions traditionally associated with an undergraduate degree in psychology. Other graduates have pursued graduate studies in Christian graduate schools and seminaries leading to full-time ministries as biblical counselors, youth ministers, and pastors.

Opportunities to Learn Outside the Classroom

Real-world experience — As part of the program, you will have opportunity to complete a discipline-related internship. Students have completed internships at Bethany Christian Services, Addictions Resource Center, and Child and Family Focus, among others.

Research and presenting — The psychology faculty will work closely with you to identify your areas of interest and guide you through the research process based on your individual interest. Many of our students have presented their research at state and national conferences, and highly motivated psychology majors have the potential to leave Cedarville with peer-reviewed journal publications. An annual Research Symposium held on campus each spring is another great opportunity to present your research. These experiences are key to prepare you for graduate school.

Study abroad — Our psychology majors have successfully participated in numerous exchange programs, from spending a few weeks in travel studies for courses such as Abnormal Psychology, Psychology of Personality, or Cross-Cultural Psychology to semester-long studies in Ireland, Spain, and at Oxford. There are also short-term missions opportunities sponsored by the university that allow students to apply their psychological knowledge to ministry.

Service learning — Psi Kappa Theta (PKT), a psychology student organization, provides students with opportunities to join like-minded peers for learning, social and service opportunities outside of the classroom.

Professional networking — By taking the time to intentionally connect with you, your professors can help you gain contacts in your chosen field of professional interest, including finding internships and advanced learning opportunities.